How time flies. It was a few short years ago that this collection of people in their caps and gowns first entered the gates of the St Augustine Campus to begin their studies. And now they cross the stage to collect their degrees and certificates.
"I'm suddenly here," says Aruna Mahadeo, still amazed that the end came so fast.
That's not the only surprise for her. Aruna, an Economics graduate of the Faculty of Social Sciences, has also been given the honour of being one of the representatives of the faculty as valedictorian.
"I had never imagined this for myself," she says.
But she shouldn't be surprised. Aruna, like her fellow valedictorians, excelled in her studies and shows an empathy and concern for society that is incredibly mature. They represent not only their classmates, but also the UWI spirit.
This year’s six valedictorians—Aruna and Dante Gains, both representing the Faculty of Social Sciences; Joshua Lamy-Ramsden for the Faculties of Humanities & Education and Sport; Ayanah Mohamed, the Faculty of Medical Sciences; Josef Paty, the Faculties of Science & Technology and Food & Agriculture; and Jehoshua Williams, the Faculties of Law and Engineering—each embody that balance in their own way. In their valedictorian speeches (and their interviews with us) they speak of resilience and curiosity, of learning from others, and of growing as scholars and people.
“UWI is rigorous. It is relentless. And it is real. You can’t automate perseverance or download discipline; you have to live it,” said Dante in a booming voice to the graduating class during his speech.
And what should the graduates do with that hard-earned learning? He said, “From this very class will rise economists to redesign systems, sociologists to heal communities, psychologists to understand them, political scientists to rebuild nations, and teachers, to light countless minds.”
That’s quite a twining of ambition and compassion.
The word valedictorian comes from the Latin, vale dicere, "to say farewell". Traditionally, the valedictorian delivered the graduating class' parting address. It was a role of both celebration and responsibility, earned through excellence and character.
Today, its meaning has deepened. The valedictorians speak for a generation navigating a world transformed by technology and uncertainty. As they leave the university's familiar spaces and step into the future, they send a clear message—progress means little without heart.
"We are graduating at a time of incredible possibility and complexity," said Joshua to those in attendance at the Sport and Physical Education Centre for the Saturday morning graduation ceremony. "Technology is reshaping the world faster than ever. Ethics struggle to keep pace."
The Theatre Arts major, however, was not afraid:
"We, now graduates of Humanities, Education, and Sport are uniquely equipped to meet this moment. The Humanities give us empathy, imagination, and the courage to tell the stories that shape understanding. Education gives us the power to open minds and ignite futures. And Sport teaches us discipline, unity, and the will to rise again after every fall."
They all shared these sentiments. Dante, who studied in International Relations and Economics, says his programme became a framework for shaping institutions and leading with empathy.
Aruna found growth in embracing responsibility and opportunities outside her comfort zone. The UWI's World of Work programme opened doors she had not anticipated, giving her the chance to apply her studies in internships and develop confidence.
"I realised that I could handle myself in a social setting in a professional way," she says, contributing meaningfully, even beyond what she expected of herself.
Joshua found that growth often comes from "trusting the process".
"The more I trusted and became a sponge in the environment, the more I learnt and grew," he says.
Ayanah, who graduated with her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, speaks to the importance of compassion. Her journey to become a doctor was shaped by early experiences watching family members navigate illness. She learned the profound impact healthcare professionals can have.
"You are a chess piece in somebody's story, remember your empathy," she urges.
Josef's path in Geography and Environmental Natural Resource Management is a fusion of hands-on action and regional vision. His early volunteer work helping to clean up an oil spill in Colombia set him alight with passion for wildlife conservation. It has guided his academic and professional trajectory.
For them, the title Valedictorian is more than an academic honour. It reflects perseverance, collective growth, and gratitude for those who helped them soar.
As a valedictorian, he frames success as personal achievement and the ability to inspire others: "If you can identify something similar in me with yourself, let that inspire you to be the best you could be."
He has already begun shaping his future, working as a Student Engagement Assistant and pursuing a master's in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development at The UWI.
Jehoshua, who graduated with his Bachelor of Laws, is a believer in holistic development.
"Arm yourselves with skills," he told the graduands from the Faculties of Law and Engineering that he represented as valedictorian, "people skills, financial literacy and any necessary qualifications to propel you forward in this lifetime."
A child of Belle Vue, a community he says is "often described as a hotspot area", Jehoshua used that stigma as fuel, a rocket to success. "We wear it not as a pin of shame, but as a badge of honour. It is proof that even the heaviest labels meant to limit us can be lifted, rewritten and transformed into stories of hope."
If there is a central truth to these young graduates' insights, it's that the future belongs to those who navigate change with integrity and purpose. From the ethical integration of technology to the cultivation of creative and interpersonal skills, they see opportunity in the challenges they face. And as a society, we face many challenges indeed.
"Never let yourself become a victim to despair," Jehoshua reminds us. "You can make yourself in this field through hard work and making a few connections."
Joshua urges peers to step boldly out of comfort zones, Dante calls on his class to leave a legacy of grace, authenticity, and perseverance.
For Josef and Ayanah, there is another layer of responsibility: to leave a positive impact on their fields. Josef hopes to position the Caribbean as a hub for conservation innovation, blending policy, research, and hands-on work. Ayanah envisions a generation of healthcare professionals who prioritise sensitivity alongside efficiency.
"Humanitarianism has been overshadowed by media coverage of worldwide negativity," Josef said in his speech on behalf of the Faculties of Science & Technology and Food & Agriculture. "As graduates of The UWI, it is our duty to serve a world that is in dire need of positivity."
In the stories of these valedictorians, and of many of their classmates, we see a generation embracing technology, creative expression, and societal responsibility. They pass out through the gates that welcomed them in, carrying their degrees, but also something more.
Call it purpose or shared conviction, it's the animating energy, embedded in the institution of the university, even when it was only an idea in the heads of planners and policymakers. The energy, passed down over generations to develop Caribbean people, their minds and hearts.
"The last few years were not without trials but you have been patient," Ayanah addressed the graduating class from the Faculty of Medical Sciences. "Studying, sacrificing, and serving. That patience now becomes power. Today, the world has gained new doctors, nurses, dentists, ophthalmologists, pharmacists and veterinarians. You have earned the responsibility to heal, to lead, and not just save, but change lives. Take a look around you. The future of medical sciences is right here and it is dazzling."
And so, bidding farewell to UWI, they leave a gift for the cohorts to come, wise words and animating energy, their generation's contribution.
